Diario de rlooney

Date: 4/7/2019
Time: 11:30 am
Weather: 49 F, partly cloudy
Location: Battery park
Habitat: Open woodland & dense thicket
When I went out in the morning, I did not see many unusual species that I haven't seen frequently the past few months. I saw many Northern Cardinals (I counted 6 total), and one Black-capped Chickadee.

The Northern Cardinal is a year-round species in Vermont, and has been a focal species of my field observations thus far. The Northern Cardinal has evolved to survive the cold Vermont winters because of the food availability and decrease in competition between other species compared to the warmer months. This species has learned to store seed caches and forage successfully in the winter, while minimizing their energy expended. This makes the Northern Cardinal the perfect species as a year-round resident.

New arrivals such as the Red-winged Blackbird has just started returning from warmer climates such as the Southern United States, and South America. Recently the temperature has increased, leading plant species to emerge from beneath the soil, bringing along invertebrates with them. This creates an ample food source for migrating species. Coming back sooner, the individuals are able to set up their nests and being breeding. It is extremely disruptive for a migrating species to come this early in the year however, because although some days it feels like spring, we are still being hit with snow storms, and cold temperatures which then causes the seeds, plants, and insect life to die off or move below the surface for a while longer. This can be beneficial, as the species will get first pick of a territory they wish to defend. This can negatively impact the species migrating here because they may quickly run out of food, or materials for nesting, or individuals to mate with, and if they do reproduce they may be met with fewer food items to feed their young.

The Red-winged Blackbird winters in Mexico, the distance to Mexico from my observation area is roughly 2,586 miles away when flying a straight line from one area to the next.

Date: 4/21/2019
Time: 3:30-6:45
Location: North Beach (Observations occurred on the walk to the cliffs)
Weather: Partly cloudy, ~70 F

I saw many different behaviors occurring during my observations at North Beach Park on April 21st 2019. Starting with nesting choice, I have attached two pictures of different nests I noticed, both of which were by the cliffs of North Beach, which faced the sunset. I did not see any birds occupying the nests, but I noticed one was on a very dangerous ledge, where if the nestling fell, they would be doomed, so this made me question why a bird would ever build a nest here. When thinking about it, I realized that although it is dangerous for the nestlings, it is also dangerous for any predators trying to get at the nest. The other picture attached, shows a nest that's near the cliffs but further from the edge, and in a safer area. I noticed a third edge, but was unable to take a picture because my phone died, however it was on the ground, covered by a bush, in a field.

I saw a few behaviors I would relate to mate selection between two Song Sparrows. I saw two Song Sparrows, who kept flying together, side by side, or following each other. Whenever they would land, they would hop on the ground together looking for food I imagine, and then fly off again, until they were out of sight.

On Blackboard, I attached the image of the sound map I made while observing at two different locations. I decided to try it in an open field, and on the cliffs and see where the most diversity was. I noted that the most diversity and sound was produced in the field, which I think may be the cause of multiple different habitable niches existing in the area. In the field, I heard 2 White-breasted Nuthatches, a Northern Cardinal, 4(?) American Robins, a Black-capped Chickadee, and two birds I was unable to distinguish. One bird was hiding in a bush making a "Chirp Chirp" noise, and I have attached a sound file and picture of the individual. I also heard something similar to a Northern Cardinal at the field, however it was a little different and I couldn't quite place it. On the cliffs, I heard fewer individuals, and I was a bit unsure about what I thought was an American Kestrel. I saw and heard 3 Song Sparrows, an American Crow, and a Tufted Titmouse.